Campgrounds near Claremont, New Hampshire range from basic tent sites to full-service RV parks across the New Hampshire-Vermont border. The Connecticut River Valley terrain features elevations from 500-3,000 feet, creating distinct microclimates at different campgrounds. Summer temperatures average 75-85°F during day with nighttime lows frequently dropping to 45-55°F even in July and August.
What to do
Kayaking the Connecticut River: Wilgus State Park Campground offers direct river access with rentals available. "Kayaking on the river is the big draw, which is a great place to be on a hot day," notes a reviewer at Mount Ascutney State Park Campground.
Mountain biking: Trails for all skill levels connect directly to several campgrounds. "The state park maintains its own mountain biking trail loop, which is accessible directly from the campground. It is a 3 mile beginner friendly loop, with some nice rollers and moderate terrain," writes a visitor.
Hike Weathersfield Trail: This 2.9-mile challenging trail leads to Mount Ascutney's summit. "It was a challenge, but well worth it. There were several lookout points with spectacular views," reports a camper from Pillsbury State Park.
Wildlife viewing: The region's diverse habitats support moose, loons, and various birds. "This state park is a small and primitive one. The sites on the water are really nice," writes a camper at Pillsbury State Park Campground, noting excellent opportunities for wildlife viewing.
What campers like
Waterfront sites: Many campers prefer lakeside or riverside spots for direct water access. "Our site was waterfront and shared a small beach/kayak launch with the neighboring site," notes a reviewer at Pillsbury State Park.
Clean facilities: Campgrounds in the region maintain high standards. "The bathroom is very clean. They offer showers that cost you a few quarters," writes a camper at Quechee State Park Campground.
Privacy between sites: Tree coverage creates separation between campers. "The sites are large. If you stay in the back it's quieter. There are several lean tos that you can rent," notes a visitor about Quechee State Park.
Swimming options: From ponds to rivers, water recreation is popular. At Wilgus State Park Campground, a camper writes, "We loved walking the trail behind the campsites along the river to the beautiful vista views with a group with young kids, rented kayaks and fished from the boat launch."
What you should know
Site selection matters: Highway noise affects some campgrounds. "Like many of the other reviews, I cannot give this a 5 star rating solely for the fact of road noise. We were in site 27 and it was a beautiful site but the road noise from interstate 91 was extremely loud," notes a Mount Ascutney visitor.
Limited services at primitive sites: Some campgrounds offer minimal amenities. "This state park is a small and primitive one. It has less sites than a lot of the other ones," explains a camper about Pillsbury State Park.
Shower costs: Many campgrounds charge for showers. "Showers are $0.25 for 8 minutes. Modest camp store. Pallets of firewood are delivered to your site and reasonably priced," writes a visitor to Crows Nest Campground.
Water conditions: Be aware of natural water features. "Swimming in the stream is safe but the lake is loaded with leeches!" warns a Pillsbury State Park camper, highlighting the importance of researching swim spots.
Tips for camping with families
Look for activity programs: Some campgrounds offer organized events. At Quechee State Park, a camper notes, "Rangers also run fun programs for children - my children churned butter and made popcorn over the campfire one night, and made tie dyed T-shirts the next (for no fee)."
Seek out playgrounds and fields: Areas for children to play enhance the experience. At Tree Farm Campground, a visitor mentions, "It had well-maintained grounds and some cute activities for the younger kids. Even blueberry picking on site."
Consider cabin options: When tent camping isn't ideal, cabins provide comfort. "We stayed in a cabin with our pup. This place was very clean and loaded with amenities: pool, dog park, events, open fields, deer, store, etc.," writes a camper about Quechee-Pine Valley KOA.
Book waterfront sites early: Prime locations fill quickly, especially in summer. "We stayed in site 11. Check in was simple and quick, Ranger was friendly and helpful. Our site was waterfront and shared a small beach/kayak launch with the neighboring site," notes a Pillsbury State Park visitor.
Tips from RVers
Check site lengths carefully: Some campgrounds have limited space for larger rigs. "We have seen all shapes and sizes come and go, as well as tent campers, and they offer lean to's as well," notes a camper at Quechee State Park.
Ask about road conditions: Access can be challenging for larger vehicles. A Crown Point Camping Area visitor notes, "Pull through, large sites available," indicating this campground accommodates bigger RVs better than some others.
Request site-specific photos: Campground descriptions may not reveal all details. "The sites are a good size, we easily fit 2 tents and 2 cars, you could definitely even fit 3 tents if need be," explains a Pillsbury State Park reviewer about site dimensions.
